T’bia fretted, internally, anxiously, as he scrubbed Jycenth’s hide down, working with almost laughable dedication on each small portion of his bonded’s body. He had ever been terrified of leaving even one spot uncared for, lest his beautiful suited blue come out with a scar or mar upon his hide like those which Larrkith was home to. T’bia had never forgotten the day B’jin had forced each of them to examine the green’s mangled hide, and told with such a serious expression the lack of care that had brought it about. He couldn’t ever bare that Jycenth have any such marking upon his pretty hide. Ever.

Which was why his eyebrows were furrowed and his lips pursed as he circled around and around his dragon to make sure he got every last bit of him. Why he made Jycenth sit on his haunches and hold his arms out so that T’bia could get right up under his belly and under his arms and giggle softly when Jycenth complained of it tickling. But mostly, T’bia’s worry was because he wanted to do something nice for R’nd, to thank him for all the help he’d given, and he just couldn’t think of anything!

It had been one of his classmates (T’bia couldn’t even remember who, now) that had pointed out, rather snidely, that the only reason T’bia even knew which end of his dragon was the front was because R’nd had babied him through their entire Weyrlinghood. T’bia hadn’t been sure if he was outraged at the implied insult to Jycenth or not, but the hurt over the remark had won out in the end and the boy had cried most of the trip to the far end of the lake. He wasn’t that bad, was he?

Jycenth had stopped him before he’d fallen completely into the mess of emotions that comment had very nearly brought about, pointing out that – true or not – R’nd had indeed been very helpful throughout their Weyrlinghood, and maybe the bully was trying to say, in his less than eloquent way, that they ought to thank the man a little more. After all, he hadn’t had to help them, now had he? That had brightened T’bia up visibly, but only for a moment… The question then had been, what do you give a bluerider as a thank you gift? Especially one who already had everything!

R’nd already had a mate, and while the idea of putting a bow on B’jin’s head and presenting him to R’nd made T’bia giggle and Jycenth puff out an amused laugh, it was not very practical and he had a feeling his Weyrlingmaster would not particularly approve. B’jin was very proud.

T’bia and Jycenth walked up out of the water, the dragon pausing to shake himself free of excess moisture while T’bia unstopped the large bucket of oil and waited for his dragon to finish rolling in the hot sand, effectively drying himself. When he stood up, he shook like one of T’ken’s dogs, spraying sand all around him. T’bia smiled vaguely and snuggled the offered nose, placing a kiss on it as he pet Jycenth’s eye ridges with gentleness. Love for one another rolled off the pair of them, but T’bia’s mind was still unsettled with the disquiet of being unable to think of an appropriate gift.

He didn’t know how to cook, and besides, R’nd’s friend I’shan was like, the best cook ever so that was out. He couldn’t draw or write songs (or really write, to be honest) and he couldn’t play instruments like B’jin could (No one can, love) so those things were out, too. He wasn’t very good at making oil for a dragon’s hide, and with how regularly he washed Jycenth, he didn’t have time to make some for anyone else. T’bia knew he didn’t have to wash and oil his dragon as often as he did (Quite a few are jealous of my regular pampering, you know.) but he couldn’t stand the idea of mars, and besides, Jycenth really enjoyed it!

He didn’t trust his skills with working the leather to make R’nd and Ayyonth new riding straps, and his artistic skills in making them look pretty were extremely limited. He also couldn’t sew or embellish and – Enough of what you can’t do, love. You need to find something you can. R’nd likes you, you’re his friend. Why are you so anxious? You could give him half wilted mushrooms and he’d think you were brilliant and treasure the gift.“Eww!” T’bia couldn’t help it; he burst into giggles at the idea of giving anyone dirty old mushrooms, and shook his head. “Because he’s been so nice,” T’bia pouted. “And he didn’t have to be. He’s still being nice to me, even though we’re not Weyrlings anymore and he doesn’t have to be around us.”He’s your friend T’bia; that’s what friends do. They spend time together, and they enjoy each other’s company.“But I want to give him a present.” T’bia was still pouting fantastically, his voice sulky, and Jycenth sighed as the boy began working oil into his nice clean, dry hide.Pick him some pretty flowers, and some nice redfruit on the way home and you can give him that. And a hug, he likes hugs.“Maybe.”

~ ~ ~

Jycenth’s suggestion won out, but really, T’bia was not very surprised in hindsight. Jycenth was infinitely smarter than he was, and he was always right. It was reassuring though, and T’bia took refuge in his dragon knowing what was best. He didn’t think dragon bonds were supposed to be like that – that the human defer to the dragon – but he supposed that was why he had a nice, sensible blue instead of a bronze or something. Those dragons were too lazy to think for themselves and green dragons were too hot headed. Blue was a good colour, and T’bia lazily petted the side of Jycenth’s neck as the dragon strode calmly towards the new Weyrfolk Hall.

Even though they could fly, T’bia was uncomfortable spending too much time in the sky, and the pair had reverted back to ‘pony rides’ more often than not once that was figured out. T’bia liked riding on Jycenth; he liked the connection and the quiet companionship and the lack of falling over his own feet. But flying made his stomach squeeze up and his eyes water and while he trusted Jycenth unquestionably to keep him safe… why make himself unnecessarily uncomfortable? That had been another one of Jycenth’s suggestions. Always right, his blue. Always knowing what is best.

In front of him, T’bia had a little satchel that was filled with a dozen or so redfruit, a few of them slightly over ripe and perfect for eating, but most of them just shy of being ripe, so the bluerider and his mate could take their time enjoying them without them spoiling too fast. In his spare hand, T’bia held an assortment of flowers, mostly shades of blue that, with a few pink and yellow thrown in for visual effect. He had tried to stick to the type of flower that was most closely coloured like Ayyonth’s hide, but it had not been easy.

Jycenth crooned a quiet greeting to Ayyonth as he stopped, glancing at the sleeping Larrikith but he could tell by the steady rise and fall of her side that she was truly asleep. They’d need to be quiet, but Jycenth was a quiet dragon by nature, so it was nothing to deter him. T’bia, on the other hand, froze atop him when he saw the sleeping green. Did that mean B’jin was home? Was he interrupting them? Blue eyes widened slightly and a flush coloured his cheeks as his mind nipped down one path that T’bia had to struggle not to end up thinking on too heavily. He did not want those kinds of images!

Still wide eyed and slightly flushed, T’bia turned his attention on Ayyonth, eyebrows furrowing slightly as he struggled for a moment with himself before speaking to the dragon. On the one hand, Jycenth said R’nd was a friend so it wasn’t that out there to talk to his dragon. On the other hand, T’bia wasn’t comfortable talking to other people, and dragons were even worse because proper manners dictated one should not really talk to someone else’s dragon, especially when they weren’t present and what if he upset R’nd? T’bia barely kept a pout under control as he took a deep breath and puffed it out slowly.

“H-hello Ayyonth; is R’nd busy?” His voice was quiet, and despite Jycenth curling up contentedly against Ayyonth’s other side and looking quite at home, T’bia didn’t dismount; instead he fiddled anxiously with the tie on the little bag, and wriggled uncomfortably where he sat.

Ayyonth glanced up when the young blue pair approached and returned the quiet greeting without hesitation. Like R’nd, he had come to truly like and even care for the pair and their presence didn’t bother him, not even then as his mate laid curled up against him as she napped. It was a lazy day and the weather was perfect for napping and ignoring everyone else as they went about their usual evening activities.

Going by the shine of Jycenth’s hide, Ayyonth knew what T’bia’s afternoon had been spent doing but it didn’t fully explain why he had come calling, though he suspected it had something to do with the items T’bia seemed close to clinging to with a death grip if his nerves continued to get the best of him. It was always hard to decide what the best way to proceed with the boy was. His nature was easy-going but he liked to tease as well but it was clear T’bia wasn’t made for the sort of playing that R’nd put up with from him. Still; a little fun could be had all the same this one time. He regarded T’bia for a long moment after the question was made and finally replied, gently brushing against the boy’s mind so as not to intrude too much on Jycenth’s bond. Hello, T’bia. I’ll call for R’nd.

You have a guest, lazy.His job done, and refusing to answer the questions about who it was, Ayyonth laid his head back down to continue his own laziness that now had Jycenth joining in on it.

R’nd frowned when Ayyonth, as usual, didn’t tell him anything more. He had just rolled out of bed himself, needing a nap after lending a hand with some construction. He definitely didn’t have any skills in that area but he could still move heavier items or even go collect more firewood for the kitchen workers who were always kind enough to supply him with sweets. Pants had barely been pulled up when his guest arrived and since he had planned to go soak in the hot springs for a bit, R’nd passed on dressing any further, even for greeting someone. His friends all knew him well enough and he was pretty certain he had slept with them all or they had at the very least seen him nude anyway so modesty wasn’t mandatory in such circumstances.

Stepping outside with the laces of his pants left undone and a hand brushing through sleep-ruffled hair, R’nd glanced around and smiled when he saw Jycenth and then T’bia looking a tad nervous still atop the dragon. The boy was odd but it had become an endearing trait rather quickly and R’nd could say he actually liked it about his young friend. “Hey, T’bia! What brings you by? Would you like to come in?”

Despite growing up in the Weyr, T’bia was sure he would never get used to the sound of another dragon’s voice in his head – even Jycenth’s voice occasionally startled him! – and his nose scrunched up just slightly as Ayyonth’s voice tickled along the edge of his mind. Not that the blue had anything less than a pleasant voice, but it was just strange and T’bia was relieved when Jycenth’s presence was all that was left a short moment later. “Thank you,” was murmured, though T’bia was not yet positive he was not interrupting.

Blue eyes widened, and T’bia’s young face turned a beautiful shade of red that would have put most sunburns to shame as R’nd came out, his quick mind quickly taking in the state of the bluerider’s undress and rather mussed looking appearance, and just as swiftly leaping and bounding down that path. Huge eyes dropped to stare at the back of Jycenth’s neck and T’bia shook his head. “N-no,” he could only imagine how angry B’jin must be! He was pretty sure everyone in his class could remember when one of the green dragonets had choked, and B’jin had stormed out of his room, and down the hall, and shoved his hand down the little dragon’s throat to retrieve the chunk of meat the greedy girl had not chewed properly. He had said about three clipped words as he shoved the chunk in the boy’s hands before stalking back to his room. Moreover, that was just for waking him up too early!

You are jumping to conclusions, Bibi, Jycenth’s soft and feminine voice brushed gently against T’bia’s mind and the boy shook his head again. R’nd hadn’t even done his pants up, and he certainly didn’t look like he’d just been using the toilet! He’s going to think you quite rude if you don’t answer his questions, love.

T’bia gave a little squeak and looked up again, clinging to the bag and eyes bugging at the thought of adding to the reasons why R’nd should be angry with him. What questions had the bluerider asked? Idiot, he was such an idiot! Flailing mentally, T’bia fell back on why he was there, hoping it had been included in the questions R’nd had asked. “I b-brought you and B-b’jin,” the greenrider’s name was said in slight terror and his eyes darted towards the door R’nd had come out of, “some fruit.” And some flowers, the young blue spoke brightly in his light hearted, girly tones, his voice less designed to speak to R’nd, and more open to be heard by anyone that was open to hearing it.

“Yes,” T’bia managed not to stutter on that one, and shoved the hand forward that held the flowers in it, only to realise he was still sitting on Jycenth and even with the dragon lying down, he was well out of reach of R’nd. Flushing all over again, T’bia dropped his arm, retracting it back to himself, and flailed mentally (and visibly) for several seconds before lifting one leg over his dragon’s neck, and sliding ungracefully down Jycenth’s side to land with a grunt on the ground. He did manage not to squish anything, and once his balance was regained, he shoved the handful of flowers and the bag of fruit towards R’nd again.

R’nd was used to T’bia’s odd ways thanks to spending so much time with the boy during weyrlinghood but it still left confused at times. That was likely due to their differing personalities. R’nd was outgoing and extremely social so stopping by someone’s home usually meant he was there to visit if the friend wasn’t busy. When an invite to come in was given, he always willingly took it. T’bia almost looked afraid to accept and R’nd was about to pout at a friend turning down a chance to hang out but the gifts were brought to light and he smiled brightly once more instead.

“Thanks, T’bia! I bet B’jin will love nibbling on some redfruit when he gets back from class,” R’nd unknowingly clarified the issue T’bia had at visiting as he continued to not connect the dots between his appearance and the sleeping green dragon. He peeked in the bag, nearly drooling at how delicious it all looked, and accepted it and then flowers that were treated with a long sniff. “Did you help pick the fruit, Jycenth?” R’nd inquired as he petted the blue’s nose in thanks and greeting.

R’nd moved to T’bia next and carefully pulled the man in for a hug. “You didn’t have to get us anything though,” R’nd wasn’t even sure why they were being given items but he appreciated them all the same. The flowers would lend a splash of colour to the small room and he loved the colours of them as well. The fruit would be enjoyed and while they both love sweets, R’nd also enjoyed snacking on fruits since they were sweet but didn’t leave him feeling quite as guilty!

There you go, Jycenth purred sweetly, his voice filled with his placid amusement as he and T’bia both took note of the words R’nd had spoken. The greenrider isn’t even here. Please relax now, Bibi. The blue rumbled softly at the gentle pet to his nose, speaking privately to his young bonded as he watched at the boy relaxed slightly as instructed, smiling as the fruit was examined and the flowers sniffed.

“He held me up so I could reach!” T’bia grinned, weight shifting forward slightly on the balls of his feet so he swung forward excitedly, hands gesturing as he demonstrated out Jycenth had held him up; He was so unbalanced when R’nd pulled him in for a hug, with T’bia squeaking as he fell forward against R’nd. The boy scrabbled to find his footing once more and not somehow damage the flowers and bag of fruit he knew R’nd was still holding even as he flailed.

He accepted the hug easily, once he had regained his and returned it gleefully. Bouncing on the spot when R’nd released him, T’bia was still grinning brightly, at ease now that he was convinced B’jin was not going to come storming out half-dressed and murder him! “They were Jy’s idea, because I couldn’t think of anything,” the sentence was spoken with a very clear pout, and the dramatic air given to the final word was almost funny, but T’bia was not trying for dramatics; it just came naturally to the sixteen year old.

“Yes we did! We owe you so much!” Eyes huge, T’bia stared up at R’nd as if he were slightly insane for thinking nothing was needed. T’bia was sure he would be gifting R’nd and B’jin gifts of thanks until he was as wrinkly and old as … as… someone old! He said as much, throwing his arms out dramatically when his mind failed to think of a suitably old and wrinkly example.

R’nd laughed softly at the comment about a wrinkly and old someone and shot a glare to Ayyonth when the blue made a private remark about how entertaining it would have been if T’bia had said B’jin. B’jin wasn’t old! He most certainly wasn’t wrinkly either. Sure B’jin was older than he was but R’nd was also older than T’bia but it didn’t make either of them old. When Ayyonth let the matter drop, R’nd focused back on T’bia and the realisation that the boy would likely actually stick to the vow to bestow gifts upon them forever.

“T’bia, I was just being a friend. You don’t have to shower me in gifts for helping you. I like making sure my friends are happy and that’s gift enough, I promise.” He could see a pout coming on with that and threw his arm around the boy’s shoulder to keep him close and still. Another flailing of arms wasn’t needed so soon after the last one. T’bia was certain to wear himself out if he kept it up. “I absolutely love that you wanted to thank us and we’ll enjoy both gifts, I promise you that as well. But so long as you’re still my friend, that’s the best gift.” It was probably cheesy but R’nd meant it. His early life had been privileged and filled with everything he wanted but the exile and Katila-living had toned down his material desires and he appreciated his friends even more than he had originally.

“Now, are you sure you don’t want to come in? We can hang out and nibble on some redfruit.” With his arm still around T’bia, R’nd took a step forward to try and coax the young bluerider to come along but his hold was loose enough to wiggle free from. He wasn’t like some other blueriders that liked to sniff a bit too close to his friends for comfort and took what they wanted, when they wanted it.

See, love? You really shouldn’t jump to conclusions. The young dragon’s tone was far more amused that scolding, but T’bia still pouted in response, glancing over as Jycenth gave a soft, contented rumble and snuggled up against Ayyonth’s side. The pout was redirected at R’nd when he tried to forestall any further gift giving, sulking in the one-armed embrace.

“Bu-” T’bia got half the word out, before sighing dramatically and nodding his head sadly. A resigned ‘fine’ hung over his head as clearly as a storm cloud might, though he returned the contact R’nd had initiated by looping his arm around the other bluerider’s waist. He followed easily enough when R’nd directed them towards the door to go inside, but T’bia froze when he processed the words.

A frowning pout, directed at R’nd, studied the bluerider with incredible seriousness and furrowed eyebrows. “Those aren’t for me,” he pointed out empathically, eyes widening in response and he shook his head slightly. He had not brought them over so he could eat them! They were for R’nd, and B’jin, to eat! Not him! Besides, T’bia followed up the statement with an explanation: “I ate plenty already.” He smiled just slightly, pleased that he had managed not to get juice all over himself and thus give away his feast of fruit.

“But I guess I can come in?” T’bia’s slight frown went from R’nd to glancing at the sleeping green, and then his own dragon curled up and very happily napping pressed against Ayyonth, and gave another dramatic sigh. Jycenth had clearly made his mind up for him, but Jycenth was always right so T’bia nodded slightly once more and threw a hesitant smile at R’nd. “If it’s okay?” He really didn’t come to over step boundaries, was still terrified of the idea of B’jin coming home (or worse, actually being home. And not dressed… And oh Faranth why?!) T’bia gave himself a little shake and allowed R’nd to steer him inside (where there was, quite clearly, no B’jin).

Happily Plotting For

7 Years 2 Month and 15 Days

M18+ Warning

Untitled Document

Second Pass is rated M18+

Before exploring our forums, we would like to take a moment to warn you that while most of our RP is PG rated, we do allow for heavy subject matter to be posted, and not all of it will come with a warning in the header. Please take care when browsing our threads, and be sure to look after yourseylf. If anything in a thread makes you uncomfortable, please leave it.

Please note that all our Players communicate between themselves, and all threads are done between concenting adults. Second Pass takes no responsibility for any personal offence taken from subject matter within the site's boards, and if there are any issues between Players the Team should be notified immediately and privately.

To recap, this website may contain mature themes, course language, strong violence, nudity, drug usage, and other material that may be offensive to selected individuals.

V'zire: You should be learning from a Harper, not me! *blushes at D'hys* :c O-oh, R'nd! I'm so sorry. I-I'd never mean to neglect you! If y-you'd like, you can come over tonight and we can catch up <3?04 Nov 2012 at 04:42 PM

R'nd: *likes V'zire around D'hys even less* V'zire, you should come hang out with me some more. You're neglecting a friend :( :(04 Nov 2012 at 03:09 PM

R'nd: *thinks D'hys and Indivara is an unholy union in the making*04 Nov 2012 at 03:08 PM

B'jin: *shrinks against R'nd and away from D'ren*17 Sep 2012 at 12:35 AM

D'ren: This is unbelievable. You should all be ASHAMED. Don't you know what is and is not appropriate for mixed company?17 Sep 2012 at 12:35 AM

R'nd: *kisses B'jin's forehead and wraps an arm around his waist to hold close* Thanks for defending me but with those guys, it's usually a wasted effort. They can twist anything to their amusement.17 Sep 2012 at 12:34 AM

Sanderon: Lym needs a healer and Sand needs a straightjacket. Feel free to join us in the 'Pacing the Cage' thread, anyone who is interested.26 Aug 2012 at 08:50 PM

Lymsleia: Ramling is ok26 Aug 2012 at 07:38 PM

Z: I seem to be rambling today.26 Aug 2012 at 07:17 PM

Z: Except for maybe Talian, the others may not be able to tell...yet.26 Aug 2012 at 02:38 PM

Z: Each person that Sanderon just tagged might see a hint of his mental/emotional state. Talian's hint is a little more straight forward. In the timing of things, he sees your characters in this order, Talian, Jada, Apari, Lym.26 Aug 2012 at 02:37 PM

Jada: "And if you pull out a knife, or open your mouth again in one of your great speeches, I will drag you away by your ear for Krypth to, and don't think I don't want the excuse to get away from this debacle!"17 Aug 2012 at 06:25 PM

Z: She has a good heart.17 Aug 2012 at 05:58 PM

Z: Lymsleia is awesome. :)17 Aug 2012 at 05:39 PM

Sanderon: Being a distraction to N'gelt right now Lymsleia is only prolonging my agony. Thanks but knock it off. I want to get this over with as quickly as possible.17 Aug 2012 at 05:03 PM

Jada: Lym, your idiotic attempt to bring people together will do it- bring them into thinking you a fool. Us versus them is only made more obvious when you speak against treating the Northerners the same as the Katilans.17 Aug 2012 at 04:59 PM

Featherpirate: Baha you don't NEED your chars to be lashed you silly :P Though it is fun.16 Aug 2012 at 12:44 AM

Sexilicious: Jada could be lashed. But I don't know what she could do to get in trouble... and Far doesn't want to run away. Maybe E'kan kidnaps some pretty lady from up North... ;;;;16 Aug 2012 at 12:06 AM